Punjab

K-P, Punjab to join hands in health sector

Check on spurious medicines across provinces stressed

Our Correspondent March 24, 2024

The prime minister told the cabinet that he would not support increase in the prices of any medicines. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah has said that the professional and technical expertise of Punjab will be utilised for the improvement of the health system in his province.

He met Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Minister Khawaja Imran Nazeer who said on the occasion that both provinces will benefit from each other's health systems. Setting aside politics, both provinces will serve the public together by strengthening the health sector, the Punjab minister added.

Chairing a meeting, he observed that a province cannot be free from spurious medicines until a foolproof system in this regard is in place in other provinces. He said the revamping of all DHQ and THQ hospitals in Punjab will be completed and the structures of BHUs and RHCs will have uniform design.

The K-P Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah said that the professional and technical expertise of Punjab in the health sector will be utilised for the improvement of the health system in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Lauding the modern equipment and upgrade in the health system of Punjab, he said the sector is also being upgraded in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He said that the provision of quality and affordable medicines in the country is the basic right of the people, which should not be compromised.

The minister reiterated the commitment to work together.

Punjab Health Secretary Ali Jan Khan gave a detailed briefing to the visiting minister on the health system and insurance model of the province.

The special secretaries of the health department, representatives of Punjab Healthcare Commission, additional secretaries, DG of drug control, CEOs of the Punjab Health Initiative Management Company and PHFMC and project directors were present.

Earlier, the K-P minister visited the Drug Testing Labs and inspected its various departments. He also visited the Hepatitis PCR and TB BSL-3 labs. The minister also participated in a live programme from the FM studio.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2024.